BMED vs. IXJ

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

BMED (Future Health ETF) and IXJ (iShares Global Healthcare ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. BMED is actively managed, while IXJ is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BMED returned -0.08%/yr vs 4.65%/yr for IXJ. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BMED charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for IXJ.

Performance

BMED vs. IXJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Future Health ETF (BMED) and iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BMED achieves a -5.19% return, which is significantly lower than IXJ's -2.38% return.

BMED

• 1D: 1.98%
• 1M: 2.19%
• YTD: -5.19%
• 6M: -5.93%
• 1Y: 17.59%
• 3Y*: 5.91%
• 5Y*: -0.08%
• 10Y*: —

IXJ

• 1D: 3.03%
• 1M: 2.97%
• YTD: -2.38%
• 6M: -1.24%
• 1Y: 12.07%
• 3Y*: 5.38%
• 5Y*: 4.65%
• 10Y*: 7.93%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

BMED vs. IXJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
BMED Future Health ETF	-5.19%	21.79%	1.55%	5.70%	-19.69%	-3.96%	17.86%
IXJ iShares Global Healthcare ETF	-2.38%	14.99%	0.55%	3.62%	-4.94%	19.60%	7.38%

Correlation

The correlation between BMED and IXJ is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2020	0.77

The correlation between BMED and IXJ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

BMED vs. IXJ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BMED	IXJ
Healthcare	100.0%	98.9%
Consumer Defensive	1.5%	0.5%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

BMED vs. IXJ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

BMED

BMED Risk / Return Rank: 29
BMED Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
BMED Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
BMED Omega Ratio Rank: 31
BMED Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
BMED Martin Ratio Rank: 24

IXJ

IXJ Risk / Return Rank: 24
IXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
IXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
IXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 23
IXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
IXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 23

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

BMED vs. IXJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Future Health ETF (BMED) and iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	BMED	IXJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.16	0.82	+0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.73	1.33	+0.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.15	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.19	1.12	+0.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.00	2.73	+0.27
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BMED vs. IXJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BMED Sharpe Ratio is 1.16, which is higher than the IXJ Sharpe Ratio of 0.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BMED and IXJ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BMED	IXJ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.16	0.82	+0.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.00	0.33	-0.33
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.51	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.12	0.43	-0.30

Drawdowns

BMED vs. IXJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BMED drawdown since its inception was -36.44%, smaller than the maximum IXJ drawdown of -40.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BMED and IXJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	BMED	IXJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.44%	-40.60%	+4.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.85%	-10.78%	-4.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.12%	-18.14%	-1.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.90%	-18.14%	-15.76%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-27.35%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.17%	-6.52%	-4.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.08%	-6.92%	-12.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.88%	4.43%	+1.45%

Volatility

BMED vs. IXJ - Volatility Comparison

Future Health ETF (BMED) and iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) have volatilities of 4.74% and 4.78%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BMED	IXJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.74%	4.78%	-0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.23%	10.50%	+0.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.23%	14.85%	+0.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.43%	14.27%	+3.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.77%	15.70%	+2.07%

BMED vs. IXJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

BMED has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than IXJ's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

BMED vs. IXJ - Dividend Comparison

BMED has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.43%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BMED Future Health ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.03%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IXJ iShares Global Healthcare ETF	1.43%	1.40%	1.50%	1.38%	1.17%	1.12%	1.27%	1.42%	2.11%	1.46%	1.73%	2.85%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BMED and IXJ in my portfolio?

BMED and IXJ have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BMED or IXJ?

IXJ has higher volatility (4.78%) compared to BMED (4.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BMED dropped -36.44% vs IXJ's -40.60%.

Which ETF is better, BMED or IXJ?

On 5-year performance, IXJ leads with 4.65% vs -0.08% for BMED. On fees, IXJ is cheaper at 0.46% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BMED or IXJ?

Over the 5-year period, IXJ has performed better with a 4.65% return vs -0.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BMED or IXJ?

IXJ is cheaper with a 0.46% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for BMED.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BMED or IXJ?

IXJ has the higher dividend yield at 1.43%, compared with 0.00% for BMED.

What is the main difference between BMED and IXJ?

They also come from different issuers: BlackRock and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for BMED and 0.46% for IXJ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BMED currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.16 vs 0.82), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.